American football team investigated for 'inappropriate behaviour' towards sports reporter

The New York Jets American football team is being investigated over claims its
players behaved inappropriately to a female television reporter.

By Nick Allen in Los Angeles

9:45PM BST 13 Sep 2010

Ines Sainz, a former Miss Spain who has been styled "the hottest sports reporter in Mexico," visited one of the team's practice session to interview quarterback Mark Sanchez for the Mexicanstation TV Azteca.

TV Azteca reporter Ines Sainz

Players and coaches were said to have begun overthrowing the ball to where she was standing so they could run up to her, and called out suggestive comments in the dressing room.

From the practice Miss Sainz posted on the social networking website Twitter that: "I feel very uncomfortable! I'm at the lockers of the Jets waiting for Mark Sanchez while trying not to look anywhere! "

The Association for Women in Sports Media group made a complaint about the incident.

Miss Sainz added that it was not her who made the complaint, and she did not feel offended by the American footballteam's antics.

"I arrived in the locker room and there were comments and games. One of the other reporters came up to me and apologised for what was happening, but I thought the players were joking around."

The NFL and the Jets are now looking into the way players, and coaches, treated Miss Sainz.

Jets owner Woody Johnson called the reporter to apologise and said he "expects all members of the Jets organisation to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times."

An educational and awareness session is being organised for the team.

Miss Sainz said: "Thanks to everyone for their support and concern! I already spoke to the NFL and it will be up to them to decide whether or not there will be consequences.

"I can say that at the time I didn't want to pay attention to what was happening but the rest of the media heard clearly, and in solidarity have denounced what happened, hoping that there is always a respectful climate."

She posted a picture of herself at the practice and said: "Jeans and a white button-downed blouse with boots is not wearing something inappropriate."